Weekly Music Chart 2009 – May week 3

Music + Lyrics: Park Jin YoungAlbum: 2PM single album “2:00PM Time For Change” Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Running away from the competition and scoring their first ever No. 1 song is 2PM’s latest hit “Again & Again”. This song has already topped MNet’s M!Countdown chart (2 weeks) and also won the Inky Gayo Mutizen award, so it is no surprise to see this song being No. 1 here. 2PM’s electrifying dance moves and strong vocals have won the heart of many fans. They are the latest sensation produced by Park Jin Young (JYP). Congratulations.

Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young MinAlbum: SG Wannabe Vol. 6 Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Korea’s top vocal group SG Wannabe return to familiar territory battling for the top spot with “I Love You”. This song is a folk pop song reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel’s style, which is the group’s inspiration (SG). It also features Yurisangja’s Baek Seung Hwa. Korea’s top composer Cho Young Soo, who has written many big hits for SG Wannabe, is again the mastermind behind this song.

3. (-1) Younha – 원투쓰리 (1,2,3)
Score: 816Genre: Piano Rock

Album: Younha Vol. 3 Part A Track 4 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Due to very strong competition, Younha falls back a notch this week with her latest hit “1,2,3”. This song has her trademark unique piano rock with pop sounds, along with brass and percussion accompaniment. It still has the potential to move up again next week.

Music: Kim Do Hoon / Lyrics: Park Chan HyunAlbum: K.Will mini-album “Dropping The Tears” Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track for K.Will’s first mini album. The song starts with a simple piano melody and combines magnificent orchestra tunes and drum beats. K.Will’s more mature and moving voice sings about a heartbreaking separation. Yuri of Girls’ Generation stars in the music video as a mature woman who sheds tears. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

Music + Lyrics: Brave BrothersAlbum: Son Dam Bi Vol. 1 Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the title track of Son Dam-bi’s 1st album “Type B”. It is a pop dance song featuring retro sounds of the 1980s and it was written by Yonggamhan Hyeongje, who also wrote “Crazy”. They created the mood of the 1980s retro futurism by using electronic synthesizer sounds and drum source. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

6. (–) Davichi – My Man
Score: 626Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Park Hae Woon, Park Hae Moon / Lyrics: Lee Sang Baek, DK4RGAlbum: Davichi mini-album “Davichi In Wonderland” Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Follow-up song of Davichi’s mini-album “Davichi In Wonderland” remains at No. 6 this week. The title track “8282” has already reached No. 1 on all music charts in Korea and also here. Davichi have become one of the most popular female groups in Korea now. They are known for their good vocals and cute outfits on stage. Davichi are currently promoting a collaboration with See Ya and Ji Yeon of T-Ara, a song called Woman Generation which also enters our chart this week.

7. (-3) Super Junior – Sorry Sorry
Score: 596Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Yoo Young JinAlbum: Super Junior Vol. 3 Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the title track of Super Junior’s same-titled third album. It’s a dance song of the urban minimal funky genre created by songwriter Yoo Young-jin. It features an exciting beat and the highly addictive chorus saying “Shawty”. This trendy song stands apart from Super Junior’s previous songs. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

Music: Park Jung Wook / Lyrics: Kim Hye SunAlbum: Zi-A mini album “Orchestra” Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: No longer a rookie or being faceless, Zi-A returns with a mini-album, Orchestra, to match the spring season. The title track “Feel Like Exploding” re-enters the top 10 this week. This ballad was composed by Park Jung Wook, who is famous for the Bad Love drama series soundtrack. Kim Hye Sun penned the lyrics about heart-wrenching love which anyone can relate to.

Music + Lyrics: Park Jin YoungAlbum: 2AM second single album Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track for 2AM’s second single album, “Time For Confession”. The R&B song features a sweet melody with 2AM’s unique harmonies. The song and lyrics were both written by Park Jin-young. The lyrics, which go well with 2AM’s masculine and strong voices, are about a man who confesses to an old friend. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

Music: Bang Shi Hyuk / Lyrics: Bang Shi Hyuk, Baek ChanAlbum: 8Eight Vol. 3 Track 4 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the title track of 8eight’s third album “The Golden Age”. It features a unique and exciting beat and portrays the sadness of a breakup. It was produced by hit-maker Bang Shi-hyuk, who also wrote “Like I’ve Been Shot” for Baek Ji-young. The music video is a story about forbidden love between a vampire, portrayed by So-hee of the Wonder Girls, and a human being. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

11. (-1) Jo Sung Mo – 행복했었다 (I Was Happy)
Score: 552Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Jo Sung Mo Vol. 7 Track 7 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: The latest superstar coming back from his military duties, Jo Sung Mo finally returns after four long years with his seventh album. The concept of this new album is “things that touch people” and like the album title suggests, Jo Sung Mo shows another side of him, turning a bit away from solely ballads. However, the title track “I Was Happy” is the familiar Jo Sung Mo-style ballad that fans have been missing for many years.

12. (+1) After School – Diva
Score: 512Genre: Pop / Dance

Music + Lyrics: Brave BrothersAlbum: After School digital single “Diva” Track 1 Watch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is After School’s first digital single and also marks a new addition to their group. A 6th member, UEE, joins the 5 girls for their new song Diva. The song is produced by the Brave Brothers. It has hip-hop feel mixed with electronica. (credits to ~S2~)

Music: Lee Dong Won / Lyrics: Bae Eun JungAlbum: Lim Chang Jung Vol. 11 Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: At No. 13 is Lim Chang Jung’s comeback hit “It’s Been A Long Time”. This well-made ballad number is about a man who has reunited with his lover, but sadly has trouble approaching her. Fans can once again hear Lim Chang Jung’s trademark emotional vocal. The younger generation of k-pop fans who have not heard of Lim’s songs should definitely check out “the king of ballads”.

Album: Park Ji Yoon Vol. 7 Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Once upon a time early this decade, Park Ji Yoon was the sexy dancing queen of k-pop. Debuting as a teenager, she took k-pop by storm. Her career reached a climax during her 4th album with the memorable hit “Adult Ceremony” (see our “Yesterday Once More” segment for more details). She also acted in dramas and films. After nearly 7 years, Park Ji Yoon finally comes back with her 7th album. No longer a bubbly teenage girl, Park Ji Yoon made a 180-degree change to her music style, singing acoustic and jazz ballads now. Back in the days she never had a chance to showcase her vocal talent. Many doubted whether she could make it through this transformation. After a few live performances and also solid album sales, she has silenced all her critics. Her latest hit “In A Faded Memory” also becomes our biggest mover this week. Even though many big-name superstars have made their comebacks recently, I’d say Park Ji Yoon has given us the most pleasent surprise.

15. (+8) MC Mong (feat. Navi) – Simple Love
Score: 369Genre: Hip-hop

Album: Blue Brand – 12 Doors Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVComment: The latest hit by MC Mong is not coming from his new album. Instead, it is coming from a much anticipated compilation album “Brand Brand – 12 Doors” featuring 12 different well known hip-hop artistes. “Simple Love” is the title song of this album. Navi, who also has her own hit song on the chart, lends her vocal alongside MC Mong’s rap.

16. (+10) IU – Boo
Score: 313Genre: Pop / Dance

Album: IU Vol. 1 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Teenager IU impressed the music scene with her debut mini-album “Lost & Found” last year with the powerful ballad “Mia”. With a powerful voice, listeners were very surprised to find out that IU is only 15 years old. Now she releases her 1st full studio album. The title song “Boo” this time is a cutesy dance song which is probably more reflective of IU’s age. “Boo” becomes her 1st top-20 hit this week, moving up 10 spots to No. 16. Many fans seem to be disappointed by this switch to dance music after the impressive “Mia”. But we have to realise that this is the trend of many debuting female k-pop singers or groups in the past 2 years. They started out with a ballad that proved the artiste can sing, and then gradually switch to more pop, dance trendy type of songs. This formula has proved to be successful for many singers, and here is another example.

17. (-2) Big Bang & 2NE1 – Lollipop
Score: 312Genre: R&B / Dance

Music + Lyrics: TeddyAlbum: Big Bang & 2NE1 digital single “Lollipop” Track 1 Watch:MVComment: This is Big Bang & 2NE1’s project album. This song has fun electronic sounds and an easy-to-follow melody. The harmony of diverse and distinct voices makes this song especially attractive. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

18. (+16) Lee Jun Ki – J Style
Score: 273Genre: Pop / Dance

Music: Kim Hyung Suk / Lyrics: Yang Jae SunAlbum: Lee Jun Ki 1st single album Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVComment: Popular actor Lee Jun Ki releases his 1st single album and immediately makes a big impact on both album sales and the music chart. The title song “J Style” becomes his 1st top-20 hit. “J Style” was composed by Kim Hyung Suk and written by Yang Jae Sun, who were responsible for Shin Seung Hun’s classic “I Believe”. It is a powerful dance track with a punkish style.

Album: Yoo Seung Chan single “Pictures” Track 1 Watch:MVComment: Yoo Seung Chan, who participated in a few drama OSTs previously, released his first digital single “Pictures”. The title song “I Miss You” becomes his first top-20 hit this week. Despite Yoo not having come out to perform, this song has been one of the top airplay songs in Korea for the last month. Not surprisingly most of the scores of this song are coming from our airplay chart sources. Actor Kim Kang Woo stars in this song’s MV.

Music: Lee Sang Joon / Lyrics: Lee Jae KyungAlbum: Tiffany (SNSD) digital single “Be Myself” Track 1 Watch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Tiffany of idol group SNSD takes part in a soundtrack for the first time through the SBS drama series, Princess JaMyungGo. Titled By Myself, the song was composed by Lee Sang Joon, who wrote other hit numbers including Buzz’s The Heart Controls Love and TaeYeon’s Can You Hear Me, and was written by Lee Jae Kyung. Through this song, Tiffany is able to show herself not as a member of Girls’ Generation, but as a young lady.

Blue: Songs to watch out under top 20Green: Editor’s recommendations under top 20

BONUS TRACK:Lee Woo Sang – 남잔 다 그래 (All Men Are Like That)Genre: Pop BalladAlbum: Lee Woo Sang single “One Fine Day” Track 1Watch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Lee Woo Sang, who is known for his sweet voice through the soundtracks for the drama series “Bad Love” and “I Love You”, has finally released his first mini album. The title track is “All Men Are Like That”, which was composed by Park Hyun Joong, who also wrote OneTwo’s “Bad Woman”. It is a sad song about a man who has a crush on a girl and who’s heartbroken due to this one-sided love. Rising actress Han Hyo Joo stars in the song’s MV.

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE:Park Ji Yoon – 성인식 (Adult Ceremony)Genre: Pop / DanceMusic + Lyrics: Park Jin YoungAlbum: Park Ji Yoon Vol. 4 (2000) Track 3Watch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Definitely one of the most well known k-pop songs in the early 2000s, “Adult Ceremony” is written and produced by the famous JYP and was the title song of Park Ji Yoon’s 4th album. The sexy MV of this song is a classic. Many listeners became attracted to k-pop after this song. Park Ji Yoon is a multi-talented entertainer, actress, model and singer who debuted at the age of 13. She recently came back to the music industry after a long lay-off and she has now transformed herself into a mature lady singing acoustic-style ballads. Her newest hit “In A Faded Memory” enters our top 20 this week as the biggest mover. Comparing this song to her latest hit, it is hard to believe it’s coming from the same singer. (credits to ~S2~)